Brush District partnering with mental health provider

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
02/26/2013 12:50:14 PM MST

Updated:
02/26/2013 12:50:44 PM MST

A graduate of Brush High School is giving back to the district.At last week's meeting of the Brush Board of Education, Marta (Scalise) Sheridan informed the board that she has been meeting with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michelle Johnstone and counselors to see where gaps are when it comes to mental health issues in the district."We really appreciate her," Dr. Johnstone commented adding that discussion with Sheridan came as the result of the board's directive in wanting to offer more help for students. "As a counselor she can provide services to our families," she said, adding that a meeting with counselors was held a few weeks ago to see what needs there are."This is an important partnership. I am way excited about a partnership here," Dr. Johnstone added.To help the district, Sheridan, who has been practicing for more than five years and opened a practice in Brush in November, is applying for a $5,000 Venture Grant that would provide funding to help meet any mental health needs."If it goes through, I want to work with the schools to identify kids who would benefit from participation," Sheridan told the board. "Those with a lack of funding won't pay."Should Sheridan receive the total grant, she estimated she could help 15 to 20 students.According to the superintendent, there are 90-plus students that could benefit from counseling outside of the school with their family. "We are looking at how do we set aside funds to have an application process…we want to set some funds aside to help," she noted.

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"It is great to come back and be able to offer a serve to the community that I grew up in," Sheridan commented, adding, "I just hate to see funding being a barrier for them.""If we can intervene before the age of 10, the success rate is higher," Dr. Johnstone noted. "I am super excited about the opportunity to partner with her."In other business, and prior to receiving a recommendation regarding the dismissal of a district teacher, board members recognized audience members who spoke against the action.As to an incident that took place at Thomson Primary School, the mother of the student asked the board to reconsider dismissal as "it was a mistake that has happened and I have no worries that it will happen again."The mother added that her son had no reaction to what was done and she feels her "son is in no harm when in her class. "She put her career on the line for my son's safety…she deserves a second chance…all people have bad days and have breakdowns."Because of her son's diagnosed disorders, the mother continued, "She has done a great job since knowing his issues…his new teacher is there and doesn't know how to teach him with his condition…he had a routine…without her, he has had some setback…he goes into class now and just wanders…I really don't think she deserves what's going to happen to her."She concluded, "It took this incident to take steps to get her extra help in the classroom."Also speaking against dismissal was community member Linda Hanson who said, "We think she is an awesome, awesome teacher. If you go into the room, she answers questions, she takes the time…she is loving, friendly and very approaching at any time."Hanson also relayed that this child likes school because of the teacher. "By letting her go, you will be hurting the school…community…maybe you need to stop, take a step backward and take a look at the situation…it takes a whole village to help raise a kid."At last week's meeting board members also received their monthly update from School Business Officer Aaron Oberg, who said, "There's nothing different than what we've talked about in prior meetings."Because the recommendation is the beginning of the process, the board did not take action on the matter.As to the district's cash position, he said, "I am in the time where I'm basically calculating our cash balance every day and forecasting out for 30 days to make sure I know where we are…there's nothing different than where we were in the past."Oberg also had plans of meeting with Barry Quinlin to review maintenance projects for the rest of the year.He also reported that a bid of $86,000 has been received as to the purchase of a 2013 bus, with a formal recommendation to come to the board in the future.Oberg also told the BOE that he has received the state bid to replace the FFA's suburban. The quote on the standard white passenger utility 4x4 was given at $31,369. "We won't make a purchase until we see the cash flow go up," he stated, adding the district needs to receive the vehicle prior to June.The board previously approved the purchase, with two vehicles to be retired from the fleet.In other business, board member Frank Phillips provided a review of the Winter Colorado Association of School Board's winter meeting, where he attended the legislative session. "It was a great experience…everyone needs to go to the Capitol and see how our legislation works," he told fellow board members, adding that a few of the proposed bills will affect school districts.BOE member Mike Dixon reported on matters concerning the EAGLE-Net Alliance, a $100 million project that recently was put on hold."The reports have been done and submitted but questions have come back on the environmental reports," he explained. "We don't have an idea at this point in time when they'll be approved and construction will start…the big concern at this time is that we still have an August deadline to finish the build…it's scary to realize that a $100 million project may not be completed."He added, "Everyone is very optimistic at this point, but there are still a lot of concerns."In employment matters, the board approved Rachel Erickson to serve as a substitute paraprofessional; approved Salomon Covarrubias as a custodian at the high school, along with the transfer of Penny Harbert to technology.The resignation of Deborah Sandblom as a middle school teacher was accepted, as was the May 30, 2013, retirement of Thomason Primary School teacher Carla Mussel.An executive session followed and was held to conduct the quarterly review for the district's superintendent.The next meeting of the BOE will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, at the district office.